New Innovative Program Grant Available for College Access and Success Programs

Grants of up to $10,000 to direct service programs for innovative work will support the Big Goal

June 6 - LANSING, Mich. — Applications are now available for Innovative Program Grants aimed at benefiting programs that support increasing college readiness, enrollment and completion throughout Michigan. The grants are being offered by the Michigan College Access Network to help achieve its goal of increasing the percentage of Michigan residents with degrees or postsecondary certificates to 60 percent by the year 2025.

“These grants are intended to ensure that we improve postsecondary completion and readiness, because college truly is for everyone,” MCAN Executive Director Brandy Johnson said. “We encourage organizations and schools to join us in our effort to improve postsecondary attainment in communities across the state.”

Innovative Program Grants are available until funding is depleted within the fiscal year, which ends September 30. The grants cover a period of 12 months from the award date.

Applicants can apply for up to $10,000 to support their postsecondary education program. Grants require 50 percent match funding. Of that amount, half can be in-kind and at least half must be cash. If desired by the grantee, MCAN staff can help consult on sustainability plans for programming. Innovative Program Grants are not intended for long-term or renewable funding.

Applications and programs that are associated with a Local College Access Network are preferred, since they provide a comprehensive approach to increasing postsecondary education within a community. Other organizations and programs are still eligible and encouraged to apply.

About Michigan College Access Network As the leader in the state’s college access movement, MCAN’s mission is to increase Michigan’s college readiness, participation and completion rates, particularly among low-income students, first-generation college going students, and students of color. For the sixth year in a row, Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate has increased — from 35.7 percent of 25-to-64-year-olds possessing at least an associate degree in 2008, to 39.3 percent in 2014. Additionally, it is estimated another 4 percent of Michiganders have a high-quality certificate, bringing Michigan’s official attainment rate to 43.3 percent. It is MCAN’s goal to increase Michigan’s postsecondary educational attainment rate to 60 percent by the year 2025. For more information, visit micollegeaccess.org.